Virginia Jablonski
Virginia M. Jablonski, an assistant vice president at Marsh & McLennan, liked to get up at 5 a.m. and catch an early bus from her home in Matawan, N.J., to her office on the 94th floor of 1 World Trade Center. In recent months, that often meant slipping out while Barry, her husband of 21 years, was enjoying the extra sleep made possible by his recent retirement from Lucent Technologies.

Fortunately, Mr. Jablonski is an astronomy buff. Having noted that the International Space Station was scheduled to pass directly overhead shortly before sunrise on Sept. 11, he got up with her that morning. He recalls their standing in their garden, marveling at the stars in the clear sky and sharing the feeling that it would be a good day.

"She was a bubbly person who was always smiling," Mr. Jablonski said. "Most people wouldn’t know if she was angry."

No one could miss her passion for cats, though. Mrs. Jablonski, a 49-year-old Brooklyn native, filled their home with cat-themed decorations and doted on her two feline companions, Fred and Bill.

Copyright (c) 2001 by The New York Times Co. Reprinted by permission.
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Virginia Jablonski was my Aunt. We called her Aunt Ginger. I had a daughter 3 years ago and her middle name is Virginia. I miss her a lot. I think back to what stands out the most about her...her laughter, her smile, she a big yet warm presence. She was a person I could go to for advice and I felt like she was a great role model as a strong woman. She was from the italian side of the family and I miss her connection to our history and the stories that followed. On this day, I go out with my family and we find a nice 'mom and pop' italian restaurant and we celebrate her life. Aunt Ginger, I miss you. I will continue to share the stories of you to my children so they can have a piece of you with them. You are never forgotten, you are always here with us.....
Lauren DeTullio, Family
Sep 11 2012 2:16PM
We shall never forget you, your smile, your voice and your laugh. We shall keep this day as a sacred remembrance of you and what we lost in a moment. 


We carry on but we never leave you behind. Thank you for helping us daily to carry the tears and the sadness in our hearts but still to move forward with strength and determination. God Bless You and your family today and always. Patricia & Charles Barraza

Patricia Barraza, Colleague
Sep 11 2012 10:34AM
I met Virginia many years ago at Thomas Jefferson HS. We began working for Manufacturers Hanover Trust Co in 1971. We traveled together to work for several years before she left the bank to work at RE Insurance company we ultimately lost touch with one another. I was thinking about her recently and decided to google her name to see if I could find her and discovered that she was one of the victims of 9/11. To her husband Barry I am so sorry for your lost. I am so sorry that we never got to revisit our friendship. I will always remember her smiling face and infectous laugh. RIP Virginia you are missed
Janez Smith, Friend
Jan 18 2012 9:52AM
Seasons change, time passes but what remains the same is your imprint on our hearts. Your smile, your face, your stories & jokes are forever ours. Rest in peace and may God Bless you and your family today on the 10th anniversary of that terrible morning. We miss you and we are better for having known you. We remember you today and always...
Patricia Barraza, Colleague
Sep 11 2011 12:00PM
Virgina was one of those people whose smile and kindness could shatter all sadness. She was our family historian, the one who would organize reunions and the one who was always trying to fuse past generations to the present. My heart is with cousin Barry, for I know he will forever have heart ache for the loss of his best friend and wife and additionally, for cousin Anthony, who lost his sister and buddy. We will always miss you and I hope my love for our family history is doing you proud up in heaven.
Christina Marie, Family
Sep 11 2011 10:06AM
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